PULLMAN — Washington State Cougars (2-12) shook off a slow start and used a strong second half to earn a 66-63 win over Pepperdine on Sunday, opening West Coast Conference play with a hard-fought victory, according to a statement by WSU athletics.   

“I'm obviously just thrilled that we pulled off a win,” WSU head coach Kamie Ethridge said. “I think we all know that there were some moments there that were ‘What's going on,’ kind of moments. But it is situational basketball that we have to continue to communicate things that sometimes I'm not sure I need to communicate, but let's just go from the blank slate of communicate everything at this point. Proud of the way they were able to come through and get a win.”  

After managing just eight points in the first quarter, Washington State stayed within striking distance with defensive pressure and rebounding. WSU found its footing in the second quarter behind Mackenzie Chatfield and Tanja Valancic, while Charlotte Abraham drained two late three-pointers to spark a 7-2 closing run and give the Cougars a 24-23 halftime lead.  

Momentum swung decisively after the break. Eleonora Villa attacked the lane, Marta Alsina knocked down a three, and Washington State strung together four straight scoring possessions to seize control. Villa's three-pointer in the closing seconds of the third quarter pushed the Cougars ahead 44-39 entering the fourth.  

Washington State opened the final period with confidence, as Malia Ruud scored inside and Abraham connected from deep to stretch the lead to 49-39. Pepperdine answered with timely shooting, but each push was met by a Cougar response. Villa's steady playmaking, Abraham's shot-making and Ruud's physical finishes helped WSU maintain its edge.  

The Waves cut the deficit to three late, but Washington State stayed composed, securing key rebounds and defensive stops down the stretch to close out the win.   

“Conference play demands your very best,” Pepperdine Head Coach Katie Faulkner said. “I know we will respond well to this loss, but we need to learn some key lessons fast.”  

The Cougars outrebounded Pepperdine 34-33 and outscored them 16-2 in second-chance points and 18-4 in points off turnovers.  

“This was a really close game, and they were so aggressive, and I think that when you play these kinds of opponents, you just need to be focused every minute, especially towards the end. The key was to be aggressive and to take care of the ball. We didn't let them to have what they wanted,” Eleonora Villa said.   

Charlotte Abraham recorded her first-career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Eleonora Villa led the scoring attack with 17 points. Malia Ruud chipped in 10 points, and Mackenzie Chatfield finished with nine points, four rebounds and five assists.   

Villa's 17 points put her at 1,167 career points, moving up to 16th in program history and 21 from 15th. She made one three-pointer, putting her at 119 career made threes, 14 away from joining the WSU all-time top-10 list. She also made seven field goals, totaling 462 career made field goals, 38 from 500. Now at 2,800 career minutes played, Villa is 200 away from 3,000 and 523 from the top-10 all-time at WSU.  

Alex Covill remains at 118 career blocks, seventh all-time in program history. Covill also has 200 career rebounds, 50 away from 250, and 341 career points, 159 from 500.  

Charlotte Abraham's first career double-double is also the first by any Cougar this season. Abraham's 10 rebounds and four made threes both tied career-high marks.  

Malia Ruud tied her career-best with two steals.  

The team's nine turnovers were the fewest in a game this season.  

WSU made eight threes, tied for the second-most in a game this season.  

BOX SCORE:  

PPDN: 11-12-16-24: 63
WSU: 8-16-20-22: 66